WTF Is IDAHOBiT?

Today is IDAHOBiT or, the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biophobia. It might be a day you’re clued up on, but if not fear not – we’re here to tell you WTF its is, and why should you care.

Started in 2004 as the slightly less difficult to say IDAHO (International Day Against Homophobia) and later grown to include further representation across the LBGTQI spectrum; IDAHOT (also sometimes known as IDAHOBIT, or still IDAHO, or whatever…let’s not get too bogged down in acronyms here) is described by its founders as “a worldwide celebration of sexual and gender diversities” and, also a day for highlighting the violence, discrimination and injustice experienced by LGBT+ people internationally. So it’s kind of a biggie.

WTF needs to be done about IDAHOT?

MTV Staying Alive

This year, though it’s open to anyone’s own interpretation, the theme of the day is focused on mental health and wellbeing.

Back in the dark ages (around the late 19th century), scientist’s early theories around gender and sexual identity variances revolved around chemical imbalances or mental deficiencies. Essentially, they considered anyone on the LBGTI spectrum to have mental health issues. The repercussions of this mistake are still being felt around the world today.

Globally, sexuality and gender diversities are still often treated as mental health issues. It wasn’t until 1990 (well out of the dark ages) that the World Health Organization published a revised version of the International Classification of Diseases Manual in which homosexuality was not considered a mental disease any more. What took you so long, guys?!

For transgender people, things are even further behind. In almost all countries (including the UK) an official diagnosis of “Gender Identity Disorder” is needed to gain access to health care or to transition.

Furthermore, around the world, mistreatment of LGBTQI people is still often justified through aims to “cure” what is a seen as a disease or illness. Historically and in extreme cases today “cures” such as electro-shock therapy, sterilisation, hormone treatments, brainwashing and in the case of lesbians and bisexual women, rape have been used as “treatments”. Shame we can’t try and ‘cure’ those who think being LGBTQI is anything other than totally normal.

WTF can I do?!

Part of what you can do revolves around law. One of the main focuses of this year’s IDAHOT revolves around changing laws for transgender people that require mandatory diagnosis and psychiatric assessment before things like hormonal therapies can be undertaken. Others are campaigning to criminalise clinics worldwide that treat LGBTQI people for mental illness and for harsher punishment on those illegally doing so elsewhere.

You can find out about the organisations doing these things and how you can support them over at the IDAHOBIT website, here.

It’s not just about law though, IDAHOT is also about de-stigmatisation and the celebration and acceptance of LGBTQI people around the world. So you can start by tweeting your support for IDAHOT, using #May17IDAHOT. Or you could take time celebrate those who inspire you, or simply have a think about the way you support the LGBTQI community. The only bad thing you can do is do nothing – cos we all need to push for social and legal change. Head to IDAHOBiT website for more ideas.

So let’s do this - let’s get celebrating, get talking and most importantly, let’s make a change.

Pics From 2015 That Will Restore Your Faith In Humanity

LOVE WINS. This is the moment Richard Dowling and Cormac Gollogly had their first kiss as a married couple, after the first EVER same sex marriage in Ireland.

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The world was left shaken after the devastating terrorist attacks in Paris on November 13th. While the Eiffel Tower turned off its lights in mourning, iconic buildings such as the Sydney Opera House turned red, white and blue to show their solidarity

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When Taylor Swift super-fan Jorja was told that she would lose her hearing very soon, she was terrified that she’d never hear her idol sing again. So guess who popped up to surprise her? Only Tay-Tay herself

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A 14-year-old rugby fan was tackled to the ground by security guards when he ran onto the pitch after New Zealand’s World Cup win. Legendary player Sonny Bill Williams picked him up, dusted him off, and even gave him his winner’s medal

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14-year-old Ahmed Mohamed was arrested when teachers at his school mistook his homemade clock for a bomb. Thousands of people spoke out in support of Ahmed, including some guy called President Obama. This is the moment they met

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We love a happy ending. This is the moment Nicki Minaj and Taylor Swift put a spectacular end to their Twitter spat, by performing a duet mash-up of their songs together at the 2015 VMA. Girl power

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Canada proved that they were standing by the #RefugeesWelcome campaign when hundreds of citizens (and their Prime Minister) went to the Toronto airport with signs, clothes and gift bags for the arriving Syrian refugees

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After 5-year-old Safyre Terry lost her entire family in a fire, she revealed that all she wanted this year was Christmas cards. The internet rallied, and Safyre has since received over 4000 presents and 300,000 cards, including one from the White House

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Johnny Depp brought smiles to the children patients in an Australian hospital when he showed up dressed as Captain Jack Sparrow. He spent over 2 hours chatting, taking photos and even handing out gold coins. He is a pirate, after all…

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